The Taste Of Rebound Love

Part 14

Jack stood in the bathroom splashing his face.  He just needed to lessen the red of his eyes.  He didn't want anyone to notice that he had been crying.  Gripping the sides of the sink, Jack stared into the mirror at himself.  He just had to get through two days of livestreaming.  He could already imagine the tension between Mark and Felix.  Would he have the strength to keep things civil between them if they started to have it out?  Could he keep himself together around Mark?  Lowering his gaze into the sink, Jack sighed softly.  He wasn't sure he could do this... but this wasn't about him.  This was about the charity for Aids.  He just had to keep that in mind.  The bathroom door pushed open and Felix peeked in holding Edgar, asking him softly.  "Are you ready to go"?  Jack looked back up into the mirror and dryly told him.  "Promise me something, Felix".  Felix adjusted Edgar in his arms, seriously replying.  "Sure. What is it"?  Slowly Jack turned to face Felix with a long soft exhale.  Taking in all the courage he could, Jack answered him just as seriously.  "Whatever happens tonight and tomorrow night... promise me you won't bring our drama to the livestream. When those cameras turn on... we keep things light and civil".

Felix dropped his gaze to the floor, adjusting Edgar in his arms again as he bluntly shot back.  "They won't call it Cringemas for nothing".  Jack took a step closer to him, sternly cutting in then.  "Felix, I'm serious. This is a 'charity' livestream. Not some reality TV show".  Felix nodded in swift agreement, seriously adding in.  "Ya, ok. I got it. I'll keep it light, but if he starts something up...".  Felix trailed off and flashed Jack a warning glare.  Jack quickly defused him by glaring back and snapping back bitterly through clenched teeth.  "You'll do nothing. I'll deal with Mark if I have to, but the stream stays positive. Got it"?  Felix's eyes softened and he nodded lightly, handing Edgar over to Jack casually, while replying in a chipper tone.  "Alright, Alright. Let's go or we'll be late".  Jack sat in the passenger seat of Felix's car, hugging Edgar close to him.  Every mile closer had Jack's heart beating a little faster.  He told Felix to keep it light... but would 'he' be able too.  His emotions felt so scattered and all over the place right now.  Now that was the real question... could 'he' keep it together?

After the longest drive in complete silence, Felix parked the car outside of the storage studio.  Jack exhaled heavily trying to force himself to relax and reached for the door handle.  There was a loud 'thunk' as the car locks kicked on, and Jack froze with his hand on the handle.  He didn't have the strength to turn and face Felix right now.  Beside him, Felix asked him in a low but serious voice.  "Don't forget, Jack. I'll play your game. If you play mine".  This time Jack turned to face Felix with a fragile expression.  He knew what Felix was referring to.  Felix wanted to make Mark jealous.  Make him hurt.  Swallowing back the uneasiness that was threatening to come up, Jack told Felix in a wispy whisper of a voice.  "Do what you want... but don't antagonize him into a fight and don't take away from the stream".  Felix reached up to place a hand against Jack's cold cheek, softly whispering to him hopefully.  "It's not my performance I'm worried about. It's yours. Can you let go enough to have fun"?  Jack turned his head away from Felix's warm comforting hand, mumbling out much more confident than he felt.  "Having fun is easy... It's the consequence of it that's got me worried". 

Jack glanced up from staring meekly at the dashboard, barely listening to the sound of the door locks unlocking... because his focus was now on Mark.  How long had Mark been standing outside the studio door?  How long had he been watching them?  When Mark's eyes caught his, Mark turned away and headed inside.  Jack couldn't read him.  Mark's expression had been emotionless.  Jack bit his bottom lip hard, holding Edgar a little tight as he excited the car.  Already this was off to a very poor start.  Everyone inside was busy setting up the last few touches for the livestream and Felix was busy helping them test mics and camera positioning.  So, Jack used this time to sneak over closer to Mark who was sipping a monster against the wall by the door.  He looked slightly bored... but by the way Mark's cold eyes watched Felix... Jack guessed that wasn't the case.  As Jack approached, Mark didn't even look his way.  He just kept his eyes focused on Felix as he dryly told Jack in a low voice.  "Better be careful. Felix might not like seeing you over here with me".

Jack sighed loudly, hefting a suddenly heavy Edgar in his arms as he shot back.  "Ya, well, If that's the case then I can't stand next to either of you".  Mark's eyes finally broke off from Felix to stare at him with a smirk.  Jack blushed, turning his gaze to Edgar.  Why did that make Jack feel so warm and fuzzy?  Petting Edgar to disguise his shaking hands, Jack nervously told Mark.  "Look Mark... about tonight".  Mark straighten up off the wall suddenly, looking a little defensive.  Jack curiously followed Mark's gaze, just in time to see Felix approach them quickly, telling them both loudly.  "Here guys, these are your mics for tonight".  Felix handed one to Jack first and Jack watched as Felix weakly handed one to Mark.  Mark looked stiff as he casually took it from Felix.  Mark's eyes were narrowed on Felix, but Felix wasn't looking at him.  He was ignoring him for Jack.  The cold thick tension rose the airs along Jack's arms, as Felix told him bluntly.  "Do you need help putting it on, Jack? We don't want Edgar running around just yet". 

If looks could kill, Mark's gaze just then would have murdered Felix.  Jack quickly stepped back away from both of them, telling Felix with a bit of a shaky voice.  "Thanks, but I'll get one of the camera crew to help me".  Turning away, Jack started to walk toward the nearest camera man.  Mumbling in an undertone to Edgar.  "I think this was a BIG mistake, Edgar".  Edgar sneezed just then and Jack added bluntly as if Edgar had agreed with him.  "Ya, Cringemas isn't a strong enough word for what's about to happen tonight".  To Be Continued...